JavaJoe
11-06-2013, 01:14 PM
Bear with me...
This all started about a month ago when after a few symptoms, I convinced myself I had MS - then things got crazy and have never stopped since.
One afternoon at work I started to get tingling and numbness feelings in my legs and arms. At first I ignored it, but then I started to get scared because they wouldn't go away. So, I called the doctor and made an appointment. She did a routine check for weaknesses, coordination, sensitivity, etc and said everything appeared to be normal. Doctor ordered me to get blood work for lyme disease, hypothyroidism, vitamin B12 deficiency, and a few other tests. Had the blood work done on a Wednesday and was told it would be back that Friday or Monday of next week.
My symptoms of tingling and numbness wouldn't be constant, and they'd change locations. Then, I got really scared when I started to get muscle aches - my calfs and thighs were so achy and painful - like I had run a marathon and strained all the muscles in my legs - I could barely sleep it bothered me so much. I'd feel muscle pain from deep within my butt and all the way down my right leg (sciatica I believe). This lasted for more than a week and to some extent still happens.
Then, that Friday I woke up and just broke down - the pains wouldn't stop and I was so terrified because I had no idea what was happening to my body and why. I had these burning sensations on my arms and my muscles were so easily fatigued - I'd raise my arm to hold my cellphone to my ear and my arm muscles were almost instantly worn out - not weakness really, just extremely worn out right away.
I ended up in the ER that morning (before my bood work came back) and after only a few minutes with the Doc, he diagnosed me with Anxiety - I told him of my MS fears and he assured me what I had was Anxiety. So, he prescribed me Lorazepam and sent me on my way. The muscle relaxer pills didn't seem to do anything but make my tired all day.
My symptoms continued so I called my PCP again - she then sent a referral to a Neurologist and I made an appointment. After going through a bunch of physical tests with the Neuro, he said I passed with flying colors with the exception of "brisk reflexes", and because of my symptoms and family history of MS (my Uncle has MS) he ordered me to get an MRI of my brain and spine just to be sure.
My MRI came back normal for both the brain and spine - "no evidence of MS" was part of the report written by the radiologist. My Neuro called and told me everything was absolutely normal and didn't mention coming back for a follow up. I made a follow up anyway because my symptoms are not going away.
Well, my symptoms continue - now my symptoms seem to be more nerve and muscle related - I get shooting pains in some of my fingers - near the tips - never constant - more throbbing and always coming and going - never sticking around for more than a few hours.
In addition to that, I get muscle aches all over my body - which also comes and goes and doesn't seem to stick around forever.
Here's my problem:
Even after hearing that my brain and spine were fine, I'm still convinced I have something else like lupus, ALS, or something else terrible.
And I wonder if my symptoms are being triggered by my constant fear of this?
In the last few days things have gotten worse again - sharp nerve pain in my ring and pinky fingers, muscles wear out really quickly (raising my hand with my cellphone in the air makes my arm feel like it's been working out for hours. I'm also getting burning sensations on my hands, arms, feet, and legs. Both of my hands feel achy and sore. I should mention that prior to a few days ago, I was feeling a lot better and almost all of my symptoms had gone away for a few days in a row. But, they're back again...
I want to believe this is just anxiety, but everything online suggests I have something terrible...
This all started about a month ago when after a few symptoms, I convinced myself I had MS - then things got crazy and have never stopped since.
One afternoon at work I started to get tingling and numbness feelings in my legs and arms. At first I ignored it, but then I started to get scared because they wouldn't go away. So, I called the doctor and made an appointment. She did a routine check for weaknesses, coordination, sensitivity, etc and said everything appeared to be normal. Doctor ordered me to get blood work for lyme disease, hypothyroidism, vitamin B12 deficiency, and a few other tests. Had the blood work done on a Wednesday and was told it would be back that Friday or Monday of next week.
My symptoms of tingling and numbness wouldn't be constant, and they'd change locations. Then, I got really scared when I started to get muscle aches - my calfs and thighs were so achy and painful - like I had run a marathon and strained all the muscles in my legs - I could barely sleep it bothered me so much. I'd feel muscle pain from deep within my butt and all the way down my right leg (sciatica I believe). This lasted for more than a week and to some extent still happens.
Then, that Friday I woke up and just broke down - the pains wouldn't stop and I was so terrified because I had no idea what was happening to my body and why. I had these burning sensations on my arms and my muscles were so easily fatigued - I'd raise my arm to hold my cellphone to my ear and my arm muscles were almost instantly worn out - not weakness really, just extremely worn out right away.
I ended up in the ER that morning (before my bood work came back) and after only a few minutes with the Doc, he diagnosed me with Anxiety - I told him of my MS fears and he assured me what I had was Anxiety. So, he prescribed me Lorazepam and sent me on my way. The muscle relaxer pills didn't seem to do anything but make my tired all day.
My symptoms continued so I called my PCP again - she then sent a referral to a Neurologist and I made an appointment. After going through a bunch of physical tests with the Neuro, he said I passed with flying colors with the exception of "brisk reflexes", and because of my symptoms and family history of MS (my Uncle has MS) he ordered me to get an MRI of my brain and spine just to be sure.
My MRI came back normal for both the brain and spine - "no evidence of MS" was part of the report written by the radiologist. My Neuro called and told me everything was absolutely normal and didn't mention coming back for a follow up. I made a follow up anyway because my symptoms are not going away.
Well, my symptoms continue - now my symptoms seem to be more nerve and muscle related - I get shooting pains in some of my fingers - near the tips - never constant - more throbbing and always coming and going - never sticking around for more than a few hours.
In addition to that, I get muscle aches all over my body - which also comes and goes and doesn't seem to stick around forever.
Here's my problem:
Even after hearing that my brain and spine were fine, I'm still convinced I have something else like lupus, ALS, or something else terrible.
And I wonder if my symptoms are being triggered by my constant fear of this?
In the last few days things have gotten worse again - sharp nerve pain in my ring and pinky fingers, muscles wear out really quickly (raising my hand with my cellphone in the air makes my arm feel like it's been working out for hours. I'm also getting burning sensations on my hands, arms, feet, and legs. Both of my hands feel achy and sore. I should mention that prior to a few days ago, I was feeling a lot better and almost all of my symptoms had gone away for a few days in a row. But, they're back again...
I want to believe this is just anxiety, but everything online suggests I have something terrible...